Balochistan Levies led the national polio drive in Kohlu district due to an ongoing strike of paramedical staff. PHOTO: Mohammad Zafar/Express

QUETTA: The paramilitary force of Balochistan Levies is not only maintaining law and order in the region but has also taken on the task of vaccinating children against the crippling polio virus in Kohlu.

Due to an ongoing strike by paramedical staff in the province, Kohlu Deputy Commissioner (DC) Agha Nabeel has directed the local levies force to take over the responsibility of administering polio drops to children under the age of five.

A workshop was organised on Sunday in Kohlu to familiarise security officials with the process of vaccination – from maintaining the cold chain to administering the drops.

According to DC Nabeel, more than 100 levies officials have been going door to door to vaccinate more than 21,000 children in Kohlu since April 17, the day the nationwide vaccination drive kicked off.

“Levies forces are not only capable of facing any challenge to improve security but are also willing to do welfare work such as vaccination,” said Muhammad Ameen, a levies higher official while speaking to The Express Tribune.

Balochistan Emergency Operation Center Coordinator Syed Faisal Ahmed lauded the levies force of Kohlu for offering its services to save children from the crippling virus.